http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22535083

 

berdeen manager Derek McInnes is hopeful of persuading top scorer Niall McGinn to extend his contract at Pittodrie beyond next summer.

 

McInnes is looking to reshape the side he inherited in March by releasing 11 players at the end of the season .

 

But the McGinn's 22 goals this season, which led to an appearance on the PFA Scotland player of the year shortlist, are seen as key for McInnes.

 

And he plans to talk to the 25-year-old's agent in the coming weeks.

 

McGinn signed a two-year contract with the Dons when he joined after leaving Celtic, who had sent him on loan to Brentford, in July 2012.

 

And former manager Craig Brown successfully switched the Northern Ireland international from the wing to a central attacking role.

 

"Niall is really enjoying being at Aberdeen," said McInnes. "If I take him at his word, he's really enjoying working with us and he is well thought-of and highly regarded at the club.

 

"Hopefully, that in turn will be good for us and we can maybe extend his contract.

 

"We will be trying to do that and speak with him and his agent over the course of the next few weeks."

 

McInnes said releasing players out of contract would help as he looked to add more quality signings like McGinn .

 

"We need a few more like that at Aberdeen," he said.

 

"Keeping players like Niall and bringing in a few of a similar quality is our aim going forward."

 

McInnes was also hopeful that Jonny Hayes, having spent a year at Pittodrie, would rediscover the form that made the Irish winger such a threat with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

 

"He's a player that I tried to take to St Johnstone, like Niall McGinn, and I was delighted to know that he was here," added the Dons manager of the player who joined the club last summer.

 

"It is all being well being a main player at Inverness and the likes, but I think it's another thing again to deal with the expectation of being a key player for Aberdeen.

 

"And we're hoping that Jonny, in his second year, having settled, can produce something similar to what he is capable of and shown in the past.

 

"That is the challenge for me and him to do that week-in, week-out."

 

 

One of two things will happen.

 

1. Niall will say "LOL no thx"

 

OR 2. Niall will sign after a long, drawn out wage saga and then turn to pish.

 

The first part has come true..........

 

no it hasn't - he signed for 2 years. maths isn't your strong point i take it? 

no it hasn't - he signed for 2 years. maths isn't your strong point i take it? 

 

Contract extension to technically he has signed on 3 years

 

Let the debate begin 

Alternatively he'll sign on with the minimum of fuss and we'll punt him to the first party that offers £250k with the cash being utilised to reduce long term debt.

 

MBT.....not the only one who has got the first correct, just hope the second part of mine doesn't come true.

I was in a customer meeting in the Weeg when I got the text, and let out a very loud YES

Some guy who claims he follows the howkers, says in response, is he the boy that Celtic let go. Just goes to show how current he actually is on Scottish football.

Disappointing comment IMHO.  What about a new top class keeper?

 

Think he's maybe just emphasising the importance of McGinn committing his future to the club rather than saying "Don't get your hopes up for any more decent signings".

 

Hope so anyway!

Just found out, this is brilliant.  Happy Friday folks!

Not bothering starting a new topic on this one but the P&J reporting that he's going to sign a new deal.  Would be delighted if this is the case. 

 

Aberdeen midfielder Niall McGinn is ready to commit his future to the club.

 

The Northern Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season but is ready to begin talks about a new deal after expressing his desire to stay at Pittodrie.

 

McGinn, who scored his club’s first league goal of the season in their 2-1 win against Partick Thistle on Saturday, is in no rush to leave Pittodrie.

 

He said: “I spoke to the manager before the Euros but I wanted to get that out of the way and the European games done and the season up and running first. I am sure we will get something sorted out soon.

 

“I’m in the last year of my contract but I’ve enjoyed my time here and long may it continue. I’m close to 60 goals here and I want to keep plugging away and score a few more.”

 

The former Celtic midfielder showed his value to the club with a fine free kick to open the scoring against the Jags and hopes his goal will earn him another chance at free kicks on a regular basis.

 

He said: “I was working on my free kicks during the week. Peter Pawlett felt confident he could hit the target and score but he was unlucky with his effort. When the second one came up I wanted to have a go and I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net. Hopefully, that’s me on free kicks for another week at least.

 

“We’ve been working on things such as working a better angle to get a cross. We could have got a few more goals which would have meant not inviting pressure on us towards the end, but we got two goals which was good.”

 

The win sets the Dons up nicely for a Parkhead test on Saturday when they face champions Celtic for the first time this season.

 

McGinn believes it is a game his side can face with confidence.

 

He said: “We’ve shown over the last couple of seasons we’re more capable of beating Celtic. They’ve strengthened and have brought in a great manager and we are under no illusions as to how difficult it will be. But it’s nice for us and we will be confident against them.

 

“We’ve got experience from the European games which will help us at Parkhead. It will be a tough game but one we are looking forward to. Since I arrived we have improved massively every year and we want to maintain that consistency on the pitch.”

This will not go down well with the bigoted clowns who were giving McGinn stick on Saturday. Personally think it's great news.

This will not go down well with the bigoted clowns who were giving McGinn stick on Saturday. Personally think it's great news.

 

:hammer:

 

Unbelievable Jeff.

 

I'm amazed we haven't had bids for him

Just catching up on this news. It's a shame he didn't turn up against the Tims but I'm very happy that he looks to be staying on.

Just catching up on this news. It's a shame he didn't turn up against the Tims but I'm very happy that he looks to be staying on.

 

In a game where the team spirit to win the game didn't turn up, it's harsh to single out him. He at least created the opportunity which led to our goal. Even if his slow turn embarrassed the defence.

 

That's just it. Celtic are shit. We are shitter.

Hemmin Niall, just sign the bloody thing - yer nae going anywhere, we winnae let you. 

 

 

 

edit - i've just realised how the title of this (old) thread may be construed, apologies to anyone i've just given a heart attack to

With Niall now having scored 4 in his last two games, it's going to be interesting to see how he performs against the dhims on Wed....

 

I've no shame in admitting that i have accused him of not putting in 100% against them in the past, so i'd love for him to stuff my words down my throat.

 

C'mon min, keep up the good work against those horrible bastards! 

Awww man, you got me excited there!!

I dont wanna take any credit for this but....

 

Im the new burd he met and I took one for the boys.

 

Thank me later.

 

 

P.s. loving the new tits

I dont wanna take any credit for this but....

 

Im the new burd he met and I took one for the boys.

 

Thank me later.

 

 

P.s. loving the new tits

 

Message board rules dictate that any mention of 'burds' must be accompanied with a photo! Get it up!

 

And new tits, eh? Simmies could be heading your way. 

I dont wanna take any credit for this but....

 

Im the new burd he met and I took one for the boys.

 

Thank me later.

 

 

P.s. loving the new tits

 

 

Have a Simmie

I thought Niall was turning in a few tired performances before his break & i must admit to slating him a few times.

Since he came back he has been stunning, last night, he was simply immense, one assist & 2 goals, 2 against Stranraer aswell.

Hope he's nae playing for a move 

Hope he's nae playing for a move 

 

Maybe he's playing full of confidence and settled, having decided to stay

 

Either way, i'd rather having him play well than nae, even if it means him leaving at the end of the season (caveat - nae to Hearts).

Won goal of the month for his volley against Dundee 

Won goal of the month for his volley against Dundee 

 

A worthy winner

Got to be a contender for goal of the season, never mind month

Got to be a contender for goal of the season, never mind month

Yes but interesting to note who gave the assist for the goal - the much maligned Taylor.

Yes but interesting to note who gave the assist for the goal - the much maligned Taylor.

 

It's not that interesting.

Won goal of the month for his volley against Dundee 

 

Now get the new contract signed Niall

Yes but interesting to note who gave the assist for the goal - the much maligned Taylor.

 

If that's an assist then he'll need to split it with Joe Lewis - they were the only ones to touch the ball, which didn't even hit the ground between one goalkick and goal.